(From left) Andy Cohen and his mother, Evelyn, chat at the JUF Women's Division's 2017 Spring Event. Marisa Mandrea (right), vice president and campaign co-chair of the JUF Young Women's Board moderated the discussion. (Photo by Robert F. Kusel)

Sharing top billing with his mom was a first for Emmy Award-winning host, producer, and author Andy Cohen -- best known for Bravo's
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
-- but he took it like a champ.

"My mom will tell me every so often, 'You know, you're getting really full of yourself…'" Cohen joked at Thursday's event, where he and his mom Evelyn delighted more than 700 women in attendance at JUF's Women's Division's 2017 Spring Event at the Hilton Chicago.

In addition to offering a hilarious glimpse into the mother-son pair's special bond, the moderated conversation shed light on the renowned reality TV personality's Jewish upbringing, and the commitment to philanthropy his mother instilled in him.

"My mom was a great model of philanthropy in my family, involved in a zillion things," said Cohen, whose mother is a past president of the National Council of Jewish Women, among her many other charitable commitments. "It was always very inspiring."

Jodie Berkman, JUF Women's Board 2017 Vice President of Campaign, spoke about the great importance of Jewish women's philanthropy and collective giving.

"Like many of you, I grew up watching my own mother and grandmothers transmit Jewish heritage and traditions and set an example as they performed individual acts of
tzedakah
," said Berkman. "My individual gift to JUF's Annual Campaign allows me to set a powerful example to my children and my friends, and be my voice in the community. My voice is louder and stronger when we address our communal needs together. We are influencers throughout the community-and the fact that our Women's Division raises $14 million shows that we can and do make a difference!"

Devra Resnick Shutan, event chair, added, "They say it takes a village. Well, this is my village. The Chicagoland Jewish Community is one of the most committed in the world, and I am so proud to be a part of it."

Andy Cohen also serves as executive producer of
The Real Housewives
franchise and hosts the network's highly-rated reunion specials. He is the
New York Times
best-selling author of
The Andy Cohen Diaries: A Deep Look At a Shallow Year
and
Most Talkative: Stories from the Frontlines of Pop Culture
. His most recent book,
Superficial: More Adventures from the Andy Cohen Diaries
was published in 2016. Andy will host the game show reboot
, Love Connection
, debuting in summer 2017.

On Monday, May 15, the Chicago Jewish community will have the opportunity to learn from both men at a JUF event titled “Chicago Restaurateurs: A Three Course Conversation with Larry Levy & Rich Melman.”

The Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago is the one organization that impacts every aspect of local and global Jewish life, providing human services for Jews and others in need, creating Jewish experiences and strengthening Jewish community connections.